crossroad

noun

cross·​road ˈkrȯs-ˌrōd 

 also  -ˈrōd

1

: a road that crosses a main road or runs cross-country between main roads

2

usually crossroads ˈkrȯs-ˌrōdz 

 also  -ˈrōdz

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

a

: the place of intersection of two or more roads

b(1)

: a small community located at such a crossroads

(2)

: a central meeting place

c

: a crucial point especially where a decision must be made

Synonyms

• carrefour
• corner
• crossing
• crossway(s)
• intersection
• junction

Examples of crossroad in a Sentence

Traffic was stopped at the crossroad.

We turned onto a crossroad.

Recent Examples on the Web

But for now, the continent remains at a crossroads: either continue treading cautiously, or make bold moves to embrace blockchain's transformative potential. —Chrissa McFarlane, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

Public transit in the Chicago region is at a crossroads. —Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025

Standing at this critical crossroads, the choice is ours. —Stanley Richards, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025

The song and mysterious circumstances of Johnson’s death gave rise to urban legends that Johnson had met the Devil at a crossroads and sold his soul for his musical success. —Richard Newby, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for crossroad

• abode
• anode
• barcode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• cathode
• commode
• corrode
• decode

Kids Definition

crossroad

noun

cross·​road ˈkrȯs-ˌrōd 

-ˈrōd

1

: a road that crosses a main road or runs across country between main roads

2

a

: a place where roads cross

—usually used in plural

b

: a small community at a crossroads

3

: a place or time at which a decision must be made